Top 5 Adventure Tours and Activities in Iceland

Welcome to the land of fire and ice, where landscapes are otherworldly and adventures are unlimited. Iceland, with its rugged terrain, dramatic waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes, is the perfect destination for adventure enthusiasts. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or simply seeking to push your boundaries, Iceland offers an array of adrenaline-pumping experiences for the beginner and experienced alike. After many trips to one of our favorite islands, these are the top 5 adventure tours in Iceland we recommend for adventure tourists and travelers.

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Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing

Imagine strapping on crampons, grabbing an ice axe, and embarking on a journey across a vast glacier. Iceland boasts some of the most accessible glaciers in the world, including Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap. Guided glacier hikes offer the opportunity to explore otherworldly ice formations, deep crevasses, and brilliant blue ice caves. For the more daring, ice climbing allows you to ascend towering ice walls, feeling the rush of conquering nature’s frozen giants. With experienced guides leading the way, glacier adventures in Iceland are both thrilling and awe-inspiring.

Where to go:

• Sólheimajökull Glacier: Located on the south coast of Iceland, Sólheimajökull is easily accessible from Reykjavik and offers both glacier hiking and ice climbing tours.
• Vatnajökull Glacier: As Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, located in Vatnajökull National Park, provides an unparalleled setting for glacier hiking and ice climbing adventures. Skaftafell is a popular base for tours.
• Langjökull Glacier: Situated in the west of Iceland, Langjökull is easily reachable from Reykjavik. It’s known for its ice tunnels and caves, offering unique opportunities for exploration, glacier hiking and ice climbing.
• Snæfellsjökull Glacier: Located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Guided tours from Snæfellsjökull often include glacier hiking and exploration of nearby ice caves. It is famous for its association with Jules Verne’s novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
• Eyjafjallajökull Glacier: This glacier gained international fame during the 2010 eruption of the nearby volcano. Tours here offer the chance to explore the glacier’s icy terrain and learn about its geological significance.

Tour Recommendation for Glacier Hiking in Iceland

Whitewater Rafting

Brace yourself for an exhilarating ride down Iceland’s untamed rivers. From the roaring torrents of the Hvítá River to the challenging rapids of the East Glacial River, whitewater rafting in Iceland promises heart-pounding excitement and stunning natural scenery. Navigate through swirling waters and cascading rapids, and feel a surge of adrenaline unlike any other. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rafter, Iceland’s pristine rivers offer thrills for all levels of adventurers.

Where to go:

• East Glacial River (Jökulsá-Austari): Located in the northeast of Iceland, the East Glacial River offers exciting rafting adventures with stunning views of surrounding glaciers and rugged landscapes. The river flows through a deep canyon, providing exhilarating rapids for rafters of various skill levels.
• West Glacial River (Hvítá): Situated near Reykholt in western Iceland, the West Glacial River (Hvítá) offers scenic rafting experiences with a mix of calm stretches and thrilling rapids. This area is easily accessible from Reykjavik and is a popular choice for day trips.
• River Rafting in North Iceland (Skagafjörður): The rivers in North Iceland, particularly those in the Skagafjörður region, offer exciting rafting opportunities amidst stunning scenery. The rafting tours here often cater to various skill levels, so you can choose based on your skill level.
• Westfjords Rafting (Dýrafjörður): The remote Westfjords of Iceland offer pristine rivers for whitewater rafting, with tours typically starting from the town of Ísafjörður. Rafting in the Westfjords provides adventurers with a chance to explore some of Iceland’s most rugged and less-visited landscapes.
• River Rafting in South Iceland (Þjórsá and others): Several rivers in South Iceland, such as the Þjórsá River, offer rafting adventures with varying degrees of difficulty. Tours in this region often combine rafting with other activities, such as sightseeing or visits to nearby attractions like waterfalls and hot springs.

Tour Recommendation for Rafting in Iceland

Volcano Exploration

Iceland sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a volatile geological hotspot teeming with volcanic activity. For adventure seekers, exploring Iceland’s volcanic landscapes is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Journey into the heart of a dormant volcano at Þríhnúkagígur, where a unique tour takes you inside the magma chamber itself. Descend into the depths of the earth, surrounded by vibrant colors and surreal rock formations. If you are seeking a more active adventure, hiking to the rim of an active volcano such as Eyjafjallajökull or Hekla will offer breathtaking views and an inescapable sense of the earth’s power.

Where to go:

• Eyjafjallajökull: Famous for its 2010 eruption that disrupted air travel across Europe, Eyjafjallajökull offers visitors the chance to explore its volcanic terrain. Guided tours typically include visits to the volcano’s caldera and surrounding areas and provide insights into the impact of volcanic activity on the landscape.
• Snæfellsjökull: Located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-capped volcano known for its mystical aura and literary significance. Tours to Snæfellsjökull often include hikes to the summit or exploration of its lava fields and surrounding landscapes.
• Askja Caldera: Situated in the remote Highlands of Iceland, Askja Caldera is a volcanic complex known for its otherworldly landscapes and geothermal features. Tours to Askja often involve off-road adventures to the caldera, where visitors can explore its crater lakes, lava fields, and nearby geothermal areas such as the Víti crater.
• Þrihnukagigur Volcano: Unlike most volcanoes, Þrihnukagigur offers visitors the unique opportunity to descend into its magma chamber. Tours to Þrihnukagigur involve a thrilling hike to the volcano’s summit followed by a descent into the dormant magma chamber via an open cable lift, allowing visitors to witness the stunning colors and formations within.
• Reykjanes Peninsula: Close to Reykjavik, the Reykjanes Peninsula is home to several volcanic features, including lava fields, geothermal areas, and the dramatic coastline where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet at the Reykjanes Ridge. Tours in this area often include visits to the Gunnuhver geothermal area and the Bridge Between Continents.

Tour Recommendation for Volcano Exploration in Iceland

Caving Expeditions

Delve into Iceland’s underground world with a thrilling caving expedition. From the lava tubes formed by ancient volcanic eruptions to an intricate networks of underground caves, Iceland offers a diverse range of caving experiences. Explore the beauty of Vatnshellir Cave on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where you descend into the depths of a lava tube adorned with mesmerizing rock formations. Venture into the mystical underworld of Lofthellir Ice Cave and encounter shimmering ice sculptures in a subterranean wonderland. With expert guides leading the way, caving in Iceland is an accessible hidden realm waiting to be discovered.

Where to go:

• Langjökull Cave: Located near Reykjavik, Langjökull Cave is easily accessible and offers a fascinating caving experience. Tours of Langjökull Cave explore its lava tube formations, stalactites, and other geological features.
• Vatnajökull Cave: Vatnshellir Cave is a lava tube cave that provides a chance to delve into Iceland’s volcanic history. Guided tours of this cave lead through underground passages, revealing stunning rock formations and volcanic features.
• Raufarhólshellir Cave: Located near the town of Hveragerði, Raufarhólshellir Cave is one of Iceland’s largest and most accessible lava caves. Guided tours of Raufarhólshellir Cave take visitors deep underground, towards lava formations, ice sculptures, and unique geological features.
• Gjábakkahellir Cave: Situated in Þingvellir National Park, Gjábakkahellir Cave offers visitors a chance to explore a lava tube cave formed by ancient volcanic activity. Guided tours of Gjábakkahellir Cave lead through its dark passages and caverns, revealing fascinating rock formations and volcanic features along the way.
• Víðgelmir Cave: Located in West Iceland, Víðgelmir Cave is one of the largest lava caves in Iceland and offers visitors a truly immersive caving experience. Guided tours of Víðgelmir Cave take participants deep underground, where they can explore its vast chambers, lava formations, and unique geological features.

Tour Recommendations for Vatnajökull Blue Ice Cave & Langjökull Cave Tour

Diving Between Tectonic Plates: Iceland’s Silfra Fissure

Iceland’s Silfra Fissure is nestled within Thingvellir National Park and named by National Geographic as one of the top dive sites in the world. It offers a rare opportunity to dive between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Plunge into the clear waters, entering a realm where continents meet, and swim through some of the freshest, coldest glacial water anywhere in the world.

What makes Silfra truly remarkable is the sensation of straddling two continents. With hands on the North American and Eurasian Plates, this experience is truly a unique opportunity for anyone. The tours meet in the national park, and provide all of the dry suits and snorkeling (or diving) equipment you need to safely swim through the divide. If you only pick one thing to do in Iceland, this is certainly the one I’d recommend most!

Where to go:

• Silfra Fissure: Silfra is a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, offering an opportunity to swim or dive between two continents. The water here is filtered through porous underground lava rock for decades before emerging crystal clear and perfectly drinkable.
• Þingvellir National Park: Silfra is situated within Þingvellir National Park, which is easily accessible from Reykjavik, making it a popular destination for day trips. The park is known for its geological significance and its historical and cultural importance in Iceland.
• Diving and Snorkeling Tours: Several tour operators offer guided diving and snorkeling tours at Silfra, providing all necessary equipment and expert guidance for a safe and memorable experience. Snorkeling tours are suitable for all skill levels, while diving tours typically require a diving certification.

Tour Recommendation for Diving or Snorkeling in Silfra

Conclusion

In conclusion, Iceland beckons adventure seekers with its wild landscapes, geological wonders, and boundless opportunities for exploration. Whether you’re scaling glaciers, rafting down untamed rivers, or venturing into the depths of a volcano, Iceland’s natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping activities promise an unforgettable journey. So pack your sense of adventure and get ready to experience the thrill of a lifetime in the land of fire and ice.

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